5 hobbies that will make you smarter

This post from Matthew Jones originally appeared on Quora as an answer to the question "What are the top hobbies that make you smarter?"

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Work is never enough.

We all need to have hobbies other than our work to add value to our lives.

Finding activities that are rejuvenating is important, because it helps us maintain a proper work-life balance.

To prevent mental and emotional burnout, we need to disrupt our routines with a spark of something new. Instead of doing the usual Netflix binge, find something that can make you smarter.

playing piano
Flickr/Nayuki
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Not all hobbies are created equal. Rather than wasting time on hobbies that don’t contribute to our mental and physical wellbeing, invest your time in activities that increase your productivity.

Sure, staying inside the comfort of your home, ordering in, and staring that the one-two punch of HBO and your iPhone feels great, but it’s not aiding your personal development. Find a hobby that inspires you and makes you smarter.

Here are the top five hobbies that make you smarter:

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running new zealand
Phil Walter/Getty Images

1. Exercise

Moving your body is beneficial for your physical and mental health. Exercising consistently will not only add years to your life, it’ll improve your sleep and energy levels throughout each day. Studies find that exercising decreases symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity and leads to better cognitive performance. Even better, exercise comes in all shapes and forms.

If you’re looking for something more relaxing, try yoga, which also has amazing health benefits. Have an itch for intensity? Head to the gym and lift weights. Swimming is easy on the joints, hiking helps you connect with nature, and running is a gold standard cardiovascular activity. With all of these benefits, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t be exercising.

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meditate sunset
Flickr/Pawel Maryanov

2. Meditation

Numerous studies demonstrate that consistent meditation has several health benefits — it leads to better focus and attention, improved moods, and less pain. Over time, meditation changes the brain and helps us regain emotional control. While it may be uncomfortable the first few times you sit in silence, in time you will learn to savor the opportunity to disconnect from the chaos of modern life.

Learning to observe rather than judging and attaching to our thoughts helps us recognize that our brains can be used as tools rather than an out-of-control engine preventing us from experiencing happiness.

Out of all hobbies, meditation is the most cost-effective and, if you’re consistent, will lead to great results.

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reading
Paul Keller/flickr

3. Reading

Connecting to books is a great way to learn more information. Whether it’s reading for pleasure in the fiction section or gaining applicable knowledge through self-help books, turning pages helps expand your mind. Reading books improves your vocabulary, your public speaking, and your critical thinking skills.

When done on a consistent basis, reading stimulates the brain and can prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Substitute an hour of phone and TV time for an hour of reading and start being smart with your time.

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Guy playing guitar
Flickr/Ralf Schulze

4. Music

Playing an instrument is a workout for your entire brain. Studies show that playing an instrument activates many areas of your brain. When children learn to play instruments, they achieve higher scores in reading comprehension and mathematics.

Listening and playing music improves your memory capacity, teaches you how to work in a team, and helps you appreciate cultural diversity. While it may be difficult to learn how to play an instrument, it’s a fun process that can lead to great fulfillment and better all-round productivity.

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young woman writing
Francisco Osorio/Flickr

5. Writing

Spending time each day writing can lead to greater happiness. The reason that I’m taking the time to write this article isn’t just to be helpful to others, it also helps me externalize thoughts and feelings that would otherwise occupy valuable space in my mind. Writing helps me clear space in my mind that I can use to focus on other important tasks.

While there are many emotional benefits to writing, it can also increase productivity. Writing on a consistent basis leads to clearer thinking and analysis, and improves your ability to communicate with others. If you really want to refine your thoughts, then start sharing them with the world.

Don’t settle for average.

Leave the comfort zone of your black leather sofa and challenge yourself to find meaningful hobbies that add value to your life. Find activities that improve your mind and body, so that you can live a longer, more productive life. Take any of the five hobbies listed above and then see how much happier and healthier you can become.

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Read the original article on Quora. Copyright 2016.

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